Divorce In A Day In California
It is possible to complete all the paperwork for a California divorce in a single appointment when the case is straightforward and both parties agree on the key issues. This approach saves time, reduces stress, and gets everything signed in one sitting. The court still requires the normal filing, serving, and the six month waiting period before the divorce becomes final, but the paperwork portion can often be finished in about an hour to an hour and a half.
What “Divorce in a Day” Actually Means
This is a process designed for uncontested, simple divorces. Rather than handling forms and signatures over multiple visits, all documents are reviewed, drafted, and signed during one extended appointment. After signatures are complete, the office or attorney completes the filing and serving with the court, and the case proceeds through the usual court timeline.
we can get through an entire divorce, we can get through all the paperwork, we can get through all the signatures and of course after everything’s signed and the folks leave our office we do have to go through the procedure of filing and serving and doing all that
Who Is Eligible?
- Uncontested cases where both spouses agree on the big issues.
- Agreements in place for custody and visitation, if there are children.
- Agreed terms for spousal support and child support, when required.
- Simple property situations, such as keeping things as they were or dividing limited assets.
- Cases with no children and no complex property are ideal candidates.
What to Expect During the Appointment
- Intake and review of your situation to confirm the case is appropriate for one appointment.
- Drafting or finalizing the marital settlement agreement, parenting plan, support terms, and any other required forms.
- Careful review of every document to ensure clarity and accuracy.
- Signing of all paperwork by both parties.
- The office completes filing and serving with the court after you leave.
The entire meeting typically takes about an hour to an hour and a half when everything is in order. After that, the court process continues and the statutory six month waiting period in California still applies before the divorce becomes final.
Benefits of Completing Paperwork in One Appointment
- Speed you avoid multiple trips and drawn out administrative steps.
- Convenience one appointment gets the paperwork done and signed.
- Clarity all agreements are reviewed and finalized while everyone is present.
- Lower stress an organized, guided session reduces confusion and delays.
How to Prepare for a Single-Appointment Divorce
Preparation is key to making a one-appointment divorce successful. Bring the following items and information to the meeting:
- Valid photo identification for both parties.
- Marriage certificate or basic marriage information.
- Agreed terms written down for custody, visitation, spousal support, and child support if applicable.
- List of assets and debts, and any proposed division of property.
- Income information for both spouses, such as recent pay stubs or a summary of earnings.
- Any documents that reflect prior agreements, prenups, or court orders.
If you already have agreements in place, the meeting will run much more smoothly. If outstanding issues remain, those need to be resolved before a single appointment can complete everything.
Common Scenarios Where This Works Best
- Couples who are settled on custody and support and simply want the legal divorce finalized.
- Couples with minimal assets and debts who intend to keep things as they are.
- Parties seeking a quick, straightforward administrative process rather than contested litigation.
What If There Are Disagreements?
If key issues remain unresolved, a single-appointment process is not appropriate. Disputes over custody, property division, or support require negotiation, mediation, or litigation, which takes more time and multiple meetings. The single-appointment option is reserved for cases where both parties are on the same page.
Next Steps
If your divorce is fairly simple and you want to complete the paperwork in a single appointment, make that plan known when scheduling so extra time can be reserved. With the right preparation and agreements in place, a one-appointment divorce is an efficient way to get the paperwork done and move forward while the court handles the filing and the mandatory waiting period.
